Game One Box l Game Two Box

Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College baseball team scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two to upend the visiting Hiram Terriers 9-8 and complete the Senior Day Sweep as the Yeomen also took the lid-lifter 12-4.

On Senior Day it was only fitting that team captain Jeremy Simon would come through in the clutch as his three-run triple made it an 8-7 game with just one out in the inning. An aggressive team all season, Oberlin once again rolled the dice as Ben Master dropped down a suicide squeeze bunt on ball that was up in the zone to score pinch runner Brad Hantler for the game-tying run. Master, a sophomore from Brooklyn, New York, went on to steal both second and third base to set the stage for freshman Jason James' game-winning hit to right center field.

“This was a big day for our team,” head coach Eric Lahetta said. “To come back like we did and get two wins was impressive. I am glad we did it for these seniors as they truly deserve it, being a special group of young men.”

The Yeomen wouldn't have been in position for the late-inning heroics if weren't for the job done by sophomore pitcher Zach Lipshultz. Pitching on just two days rest, Hiram touched-up Oberlin starter Phil Brua for eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits, which included a seven-run fourth. However, Lipshultz worked 3.1 innings of scoreless relief as he allowed just one hit to keep the Yeomen in the game and earn his first collegiate win.

The Yeomen chipped away at the Hiram lead with three runs in the home-half of the fourth, which featured run-scoring singles by seniors #P.J. Carter and Brian Verne# as well as James.

Oberlin matched a season-high with 15 hits in the game, spearheaded by Ben Puterbaugh's 4-for-4 effort. Master, who had three hits, also matched Puterbaugh with two runs scored.

In game one, Oberlin got a gutsy effort on the mound from junior Jack Dunn as he worked 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and four runs (one earned) while registering 132 pitches to earn his third win of the season.

Both teams were quiet through the first three frames, but Oberlin responded to a single run in the fourth by Hiram with five of their own. The big inning was highlighted by James' first-career home run – a three-run blast that cleared the wall in right field.

Oberlin extended its lead to 6-1, but the Terriers got back in the ball game with three in the sixth. However, Oberlin squashed any threat of a Hiram comeback by posting a 6-spot of their own in the inning. The rally featured RBI triples by Ryan Mouch and James and a sac fly by Ben Kauder.

Senior Ben Foster drew a pinch-hit walk in the seventh and fellow classmate Eric Gibbs came in on the mound to record the final out.

On the day, James went 5-of-7 with six RBI, two runs scored, and 10 total bases to go along with that first career long ball. Puterbaugh went 6-of-8 at the dish with two doubles and four runs.

Oberlin and Hiram will complete the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.

* The Oberlin College athletics department apologizes for the wireless internet failures that caused the live stats to not work. We will try to provide live stats for tomorrow's game, if possible. Thank you for your patience and sorry for the inconvenience.